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CogSci Network Funding Awards

The non-profit organisation CogSci Network e.V. awards three funding awards for outstanding bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral theses in Cognitive Science that fulfil at least one or more of the following criteria. All awards are endowed with 500€ each.

Selection Criteria

• Exceptional interdisciplinarity: outstanding work that encompasses various disciplines of Cognitive Science to a particular degree and thus makes an exceptional contribution to the interdisciplinarity of the research field.
• Exceptional transdisciplinarity: outstanding work that opens up new perspectives and innovative areas to a particular degree, e.g. by incorporating previously unusual methods, topic areas or educational backgrounds.
• Exceptional practical relevance and science communication: outstanding work that deals in particular with practical applications of cognitive science and thus promotes the theory-practice dialogue or science communication.
• Exceptional commitment: outstanding work by students who are/were particularly committed to the Cognitive Science student community or whose work thematically addresses student concerns in Cognitive Science.
• Personal background and exceptional burdens: outstanding work by students who belong to underrepresented groups in Cognitive Science (e.g. First Gen, PoC, gender identity (i.e. non-binary and trans people) and/or have completed their work under exceptional circumstances/burdens (e.g. childcare, disability, illness, caring for relatives, economic status, or financing studies).

We encourage all students who have written an outstanding thesis and who fulfil at least another of the listed selection criteria to apply. The proposal statement for the proposed thesis should refer to all criteria met.

Please note: while it is possible that you will be approached by your supervisor for such an award, this is often not the case and it is much more common for you to initiate the application process yourself. Especially, if you are considering an academic career, having an award on your CV can be helpful for future applications for grants and positions. So, if you think you and/or your work match at least some of the award criteria, we strongly advise you to take matters into your own hand and ask your supervisor directly, if they would recommend you for this award.

Application Procedure

• Pick an award you would like to apply for and fill out the application form.
• Reach out to a researcher/teacher, to officially propose you for this award – usually this would be one of your supervisors. This person needs to write a proposal statement, detailing how they know you, how you meet the selection criteria, and why you should win this award.
• A current picture of you (will be printed in the awards booklet, if you win the prize)
• Optionally, you may add your thesis and the reports (“Gutachten”) of your supervisors.

An overview of all awards, the application form, and further information can be found on the University’s webpage.